Safety-switch



r (Nb Model.)

R. T. MURPHY.

SAFETY SWITGH. No. 488,172. Patented Dec. 13,1892.

STATES PATEN'r raisin.

SAFETY-SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 488,172, dated December 13, 1892.

Application filed April 2,1892. Serial No. 427.484. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT T. MURPHY, of Gainesville, in the county of Hall and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety-Switches; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specifieation.

My invention relates to certain improvements in safety-switches, its object being to provide (wherever the switching mechanism is located) an inclosure having a suitable door, through which the operator must enter to operate the switch, the door and operating mechanism being so arranged that in order to throw the track to the siding it will be necessary for the operator to pass through the door of the inclosure and when once within the same to close the door before the switch can be thrown, and be compelled to remain therein until the time arrives for the track to be again thrown into continuity with the main line, thereby preventing serious accidents by the possibility of the operator leaving his post of duty after the switch has been thrown to the siding.

With these ends in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described, and afterward particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan showing my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a front elevation; and Fig. 3 a cross-section taken on the lines as as, Fig. 1.

Like letters of reference mark the same parts throughout the different views.

a represents the. main track, and B the branch track or siding.

0 indicates a house or cage (preferably of open metallic material) large enough to contain the switch-rod D and hand-lever E and to allow the operator to move around therein. This cage is provided with a sliding door F, through which the operator must enter before he can operate the switch.

F indicates an opening located near the sliding door, through which the switch-rod passes, one end of the rod being attached to one section of the main track and the other end to lever E.

G indicates an upwardly-extending projection formed integral with the rod D for part of itslength, the object of which will be shortly described.

H H represent pins or other suitable retaining means for securing the switch-rod and lever in position.

When it is desired to throw the track to the siding, the operator m ust open the sliding door of the cage from the outside. When he is once inside, he is compelled to close the door, and thereby lock himself within the inclosure. If he failed to do this, he could not operate the lever, for if an attempt were made to throw the switch While the door remained open the edge of the projection G on the rod D would bear against the door, thereby preventing the switch-rod being thrown to the desired position. Theoperatormusttherefore (in order to throw the section of the main track into continuity with the siding) when 'once inside the in closure close the door, which action again opens up the opening F. The switch can then be thrown by the lever, as the rod D and projection G will then pass through such opening and allow the connection to be made with the siding. By these means the operator is compelled to remain within the inclosure until the train has passed before he can leave his post of duty, for when the section of the main track is thrown into continuity with the siding the side of the projection Gpresses against the edge of the door, thereby preventing the door being opened during the switching operation. After the train has passed the lever can be thrown to its original position, thereby connecting the main line. The door can then be opened and the operator can then leave the inclosure.

With my improved apparatus serious accidents will be averted, as it will be impossible for the operator to leave the switch open or leave his post of duty during the switching operation.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination, a switch, a switch-operating mechanism extending into an inclosure, and adoor,said mechanismhavingaprojection arranged to move into the path of and directly lock the door when the switch is thrown to one position and so arranged that the door will lock said mechanism when in the opposite position, substantially as described 2. In combination, a switch, a switch-rod having a projection, the switch -operating means in an inclosnre, and a door for said inclosure, the projection arranged to move into the path of the door when the switch is in one position and the door arranged to move into the path of the projection when the switch is in the other position, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. 7

ROBERT T. MURPHY. Witnesses:

H. P. BELL, J. T. R. MCDONALD. 

